Taking the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John is the last easy step of almost every trip to the island. There is no airport on St. John and no bridge, so the short boat ride across Pillsbury Sound is how nearly everyone arrives. Once you know which route to take, the crossing is simple. Below you will find both passenger routes, current 2026 schedules and fares, the car barge, and the local tips that make the trip painless.
The Ferry from St. Thomas to St. John at a Glance
- Two passenger routes connect the islands: Red Hook (about 20 minutes) and Charlotte Amalie / downtown (about 45 minutes).
- Red Hook ferries run roughly every hour, from about 5:30 a.m. until around midnight.
- One-way adult fares run roughly $8 to $13, paid by cash or card at the terminal.
- No reservations are needed for the passenger ferry. Walk up, buy a ticket, and board.
- The ferry lands in Cruz Bay, steps from shops, restaurants, and the National Park Visitor Center.
- Bringing a vehicle? That is the separate car barge, which runs about $65 each way.
- No passport is required. This is a domestic U.S. Virgin Islands route.
The Two Ferry Routes from St. Thomas to St. John
Two passenger ferry services link St. Thomas to St. John. Most visitors use the Red Hook route on the east end of St. Thomas. The downtown Charlotte Amalie route makes sense only if your hotel, cruise ship, or flight connection puts you near downtown, because it takes more than twice as long and runs far less often.
Red Hook to Cruz Bay (the route most visitors take)
The Red Hook terminal sits on the eastern tip of St. Thomas, about a 45-minute taxi from Cyril E. King Airport (STT). Ferries run by Transportation Services of St. John depart roughly every hour and the crossing takes about 20 minutes, landing directly in Cruz Bay. There are no reservations on the passenger ferry, so buy your ticket at the terminal window and board when the boat loads. On busy travel days, arriving 15 minutes early gives you a comfortable margin.
| Departing Red Hook | Departing Cruz Bay |
|---|---|
| 5:30 a.m. (Mon–Fri) | 6:00 a.m. |
| 6:30 a.m. | 7:00 a.m. |
| 7:30 a.m. | 8:00 a.m. |
| 8:00 a.m., then hourly on the hour | 9:00 a.m., then hourly on the hour |
| … through 11:00 p.m. | … through 11:00 p.m. |
| 11:30 p.m. (final) | — |
Charlotte Amalie (Downtown) to Cruz Bay
The second route leaves from the Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal in downtown Charlotte Amalie, near the cruise docks and about 10 minutes from the airport. It runs only a handful of times per day and the crossing takes about 45 minutes along St. Thomas’s southern coast. It is the better choice if you are arriving by cruise ship or staying downtown, but if you land at STT, the Red Hook route is usually faster overall.
| Departing Charlotte Amalie | Departing Cruz Bay |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. |
| 12:30 p.m. | 11:15 a.m. |
| 3:00 p.m. | 1:15 p.m. |
| 5:30 p.m. | 3:45 p.m. |
Ferry Fares from St. Thomas to St. John
Fares are set by the operators and are payable by cash or card at the terminal. As a rough guide for 2026:
| Route | Adult (one-way) | Child | Bag fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hook ↔ Cruz Bay | ~$8.15 (visitor) | $1 | $4 |
| Charlotte Amalie ↔ Cruz Bay | ~$13 | $3.50 | $4 |
| Car barge (per vehicle) | ~$65 ($80 round trip) | — | — |
Getting to the Ferry from the Airport
Cyril E. King Airport sits on the western side of St. Thomas, while Red Hook is on the eastern tip, so plan on roughly 45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic along Route 30. Airport taxis are shared safari vans, and fares to Red Hook typically run about $15 to $20 per person; confirm the price before you get in. If you are taking the downtown route instead, the Charlotte Amalie terminal is only about 10 minutes from the airport. For the full picture on flights, ferries, and connections, see our guide on how to get to St. John.
Bringing a Car: The St. John Car Barge
The passenger ferry does not carry vehicles. If you need to bring a car, the car barge runs between Red Hook and Cruz Bay several times a day, with fares around $65 one-way (about $80 round trip) per vehicle, plus reservations recommended in peak season. In practice, most visitors skip this. It is simpler and cheaper to rent a Jeep directly on St. John than to barge a St. Thomas rental across. You will want a 4WD anyway to reach the North Shore beaches and hillside villas.
Tips for a Smooth Ferry Crossing
- Arrive 15 minutes early. The passenger ferry loads first-come, first-served, which matters on Sundays and around holidays when day-trippers head home together.
- Bring small bills. Card is accepted, but cash is handy for the bag fee, tips, and quick stops once you land.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen from home. Chemical sunscreens are banned in the USVI to protect the coral. Buy mineral sunscreen before you fly or at Starfish Market in Cruz Bay.
- Expect some spray. The open bow can get wet on a choppy crossing; the interior cabin stays drier.
- No reservations needed for the passenger ferry. Walk up and go.
Arriving in Cruz Bay, St. John
The ferry lands right in the center of Cruz Bay, St. John’s main town. The waterfront restaurants, the shops at Mongoose Junction, and the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center are all a short walk from the dock, and Starfish Market is about five minutes away if you want to provision on arrival. Open-air taxis meet every ferry, with fixed fares posted at the terminal, and many villa guests arrange a concierge pickup. Ready to fill your days? Start with our guide to the best things to do in St. John.
Return Trip: St. John to St. Thomas
The schedule runs both ways on a similar hourly cadence, with the first boat out of Cruz Bay around 6 a.m. Remember that the ferry terminal and the airport sit on opposite ends of St. Thomas. If you have a morning flight, give yourself at least two hours for the crossing plus the taxi to STT, and more during peak-season traffic.
Ferry from St. Thomas to St. John: FAQs
How long is the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John?
The Red Hook to Cruz Bay crossing takes about 20 minutes. The Charlotte Amalie (downtown) route takes about 45 minutes.
How much does the ferry cost?
One-way adult fares run roughly $8 to $13 depending on the route. Children and seniors pay less, bags are about $4, and the car barge is around $65 per vehicle.
Do I need a reservation or a passport?
No reservation is needed for the passenger ferry, and no passport is required since this is a domestic U.S. route. Reservations are recommended only for the car barge.
Where does the ferry to St. John leave from?
From two St. Thomas terminals: Red Hook on the east end (the frequent, 20-minute route) and downtown Charlotte Amalie (the slower, less frequent route). Both arrive in Cruz Bay, St. John.
Plan Your St. John Getaway
The ferry from St. Thomas to St. John is just the beginning. On the other side is an island where 60 percent of the land is protected national park and the beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. A private villa gives you the most complete way to enjoy it, with your own space, kitchen, and schedule. Browse BookVI’s collection of St. John villas, see where to stay on the island, or get inspired by our top luxury villas near Cruz Bay.
